D Murphy wrote:
"Hawke" wrote in
:


After reading the things said above, which basically say that even
though the statistics on the economy are good, it's really saying that
the average American is not doing very well economically. Most
Americans are either barely holding on or are losing ground. The fact
that the average credit card debt is over $13,000.00 tells you that
people are making up the difference between what they make and what
they spend by borrowing. Normally, after posting information that is
negative about the financial status of most Americans some knucklehead
conservative chimes in and says that he's doing well and has seen his
income increase very nicely over the last few years.


snip

The savings rate went negative in 1998. The assertion that most Americans
are barely holding on, based on credit card debt, is just silly. Look
around you. Who is buying all of the houses being built? What about all of
the cars and SUV's?

The fact of the matter is that society has changed for better or worse.
While median incomes for males have stagnated, women have joined the
workforce in droves and have seen their incomes climb. Working married
couples have become the norm, and they are enjoying a much higher standard
of living than any previous generation.

I'm living that. My income stopped rising in 2001, as my employer
realized he did not have to give raises to keep longtime employees.
OTOH, my wife has received annual raises and bonuses until she now makes
more than I do.
Of course, she's also smarter and better looking than I